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Joe Price, 82 year old rancher, bachelor, and lifelong resident of northwestern Haakon County, died peacefully Friday, September 23, 2005 at the Philip South Dakota Nursing Home with his sister Lois (Price) Shearn at his side.

Joe Price was born on November 4, l922 to his parents, Charlie and Ella (Foley) Price. His father Charlie was an open-range cowboy, horseman, and one of the original 1902 cowboys, and his mother, Ella, a longtime teacher and South Dakota Pioneer.

When Joe was born he was welcomed into the family by his sister Lois and brother Charles. Joe attended the Ramey, Hanson and Marietta country schools. He usually rode bareback to school, and sometimes he and Lois drove a one horse cart. Joe sang in the Philip High School Glee Club and graduated in 1941. Joe used the Bar 91 brand that his father acquired from Frank Rood in 1907. Joe made his home in the same house his father Charlie built in 1914 that included his mother Ella's "original claim shack". While his sister and brother were away contributing to World War II, Joe stayed on and ran the ranch.

Joe was a longtime member of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association and was on their Board of Directors. He co-founded the 11 Mile Corner Roping Club just north of Philip. Joe raised Hereford, Black Angus, and later Texas Longhorn cattle. He attended many Price Family reunions, including trips to Boise, Idaho, Seattle, Washington, and Reno, Nevada. In 1992 Joe made a trip to Ireland to visit the family of Dennis Callan (who was one of the original 1902 cowboys). Joe had an avid interest in genealogy. He had many good friends, a great sense of humor, and enjoyed reading about Western History. He will be greatly missed by all his family who loved him, and whom will have many good memories of Joe. Especially conversations shared around Joe's dining room table drinking his "strong cowboy coffee".

Joe is survived by his sister Lois (Price) Shearn, of Mesa, Arizona; his nephew Price (and wife Sandy) Shearn of Lake Havasu City, Arizona; and his niece Susan Shearn of Chandler, Arizona. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Carol (Wilsey) Price, his niece Char Price and her husband David Stangle, and three grand-nieces; Alyssa and Michaela Bryan, and Alaina Stangle, all of Philip, South Dakota.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Ella, his brother Charles, and his nephew Clay.

Visitation was Monday from 4 pm to 7 pm with a vigil service at 7 pm at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip. 

Funeral services were held at 10 am, Tuesday, September 27, 2005 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip, with Father Ron Garry officiating.

 Interment was at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip. 

Rush Funeral Home of Philip is handling the arrangements.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Tuesday, September 27, 2005 10:00 a.m.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Philip, South Dakota

 

OFFICIATING

Father Ron Garry

 

MUSIC

Jo Anne Stilwell – Organist

Joe & Kathy Gittings – Vocalists

 

LECTOR

Rita O’Connell

 

ALTAR SERVER

Jennifer Stangle

 

USHERS

Mickey Daly – Richard Foley

 

ACTIVE PALLBEARERS

Jim Smith – David Stangle

Dud Wheeler – Larry Gabriel

Brian Hansen – Kelly Blair

 

HONORARY PALLBEARERS

All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

 

INTERMENT

Masonic Cemetery

Philip, South Dakota

 

I KNOW YOU’LL MISS THIS MAN

By Baxter Black

 

The Lord spoke to the heavy hearts that stood with hats in hand, 

"Your sadness pains me deeply and I know you’ll miss this man. 

But, it’s true what you’ve been hearing, Heaven is a real place. 

That’s no small consolation. You should use that fact to face.

The emptiness his parting left that seeps into your bones

And draw on it to ease your pain. For he is not alone.

You see, all his friends are up here and all his loved ones, too,

‘Cause it wouldn’t be a heaven without each one of you.

And heaven for a cowboy is just what you might expect,

It’s horses that need tunin’ up and heifers that need checked.

It’s long rides with a purpose and a code that lights the way

And a satisfying reason to get up every day.

It’s the ranch he’s always dreamed of and never knew he’d find

And if you think about it, you can see it in your mind.

Him, leanin’ in the saddle with his ol’ hat on his head.

Contentment set upon his face like blankets on a bed.

The leather creaks a little as he shifts there in the seat.

The bit chains give a jingle when his pony switches feet.

And you somehow get the feelin’ that he’s sittin’ on a throne

A’gazin’ out on paradise just like it was his own.

I can promise you he’s happy, though I know you can’t pretend

You’re glad he made the journey. It’s too hard to comprehend.

The earthly way you look at things can never satisfy

Your lack of understanding for the answer to the ‘Why?’

So I offer this small comfort to put your grief to rest,

I only take the top hands ‘cause my crew’s the very best.

And I know it might seem selfish to friends and next of kin

But I needed one more cowboy and Joe just fit right in.

 

 

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